Dual purpose laundry carrier



Feb. 24, 1910 T. 0Q BARTELL DUAL PURPOSE LAUNDRY CARRIER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 1, 1968 INVENTOR. THOMAS O. BARTELL ATTORNEYS Feb. 24, 1970 T. o. BARTELL DUAL PURPOSE LAUNDRY CARRIER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 1, 1968 INVENTOR. THOMAS O. BARTELL BY ATTORNEYS Feb. 24, 1970 T. o. BARTELL DUAL PURPOSE LAUNDRY CARRIER 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 1, 1968 INVENTOR. THOMAS O. BARTELL ATTORNEYS Feb. 24, 1910 Filed May 1, 1968 T. O. BARTELL DUAL PURPOSE"LAUNDRY CARRIER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 THOMAS O BARTELL ATTORNEYS United States Patent ()fiice 3,497,073 Patented Feb. 24, 1970 3,497,073 DUAL PURPOSE LAUNDRY CARRIER Thomas O. Bartel], Boulder, Colo., assignor to The Regents of the University of Colorado, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo., a body corporate Filed May 1, 1968, Ser. No. 725,745 Int. Cl. A47f 5/00, /00

US. Cl. 211-2 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Convertible laundry carrier in form of box with closed bottom wall and open sides and ends and top. Panels arranged in horizontal attitude at levels spaced above bottom wall to serve as shelves to store clean linen for BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention lies in the field of equipment for transporting clean linen from a laundering or pressing station to a point of storage or use and for transporting soiled linen to a laundry. It is directed more particularly to a dual purpose carrier having a first configuration presenting a plurality of vertically spaced shelves for convenient stacking of clean flatwork and a second configuration presenting a large single receptacle for random or bulk deposit of soiled linen.

The conventional system for the handling of linens in hospitals, hotels, and other institutions calls for the use of two different types of single purpose carriers. The clean linen carrier is usually a wheeled rack comprising an openwork structure provided with a series of shelves spaced vertically to receive stacks of fiatwork of a con venient size for handling. The soiled linen carrier is usually an open top box or a rigid skeleton structure enclosing an open top bag normally permanently connected to the structure and the carrier is provided with wheels for ready movement from place to place. Thus, two complete sets of equipment are required, which doubles the expense and the space requirement, and half of the movement of each type is in empty condition which is a waste of manpower.

Particularly in hospitals it is desirable to provide extra protection for clean linens against dust and dirt during delivery. For this purpose, some racks have been provided with hinged side covers which are swung open for access to the linens during unloading. At this juncture, they are very much in the way and hamper the unloading operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a complete solution to the problems mentioned above with a very simple and readily operated apparatus which may be transformed in moments into a rack with spaced shelves to receive clean flatwork or into a container to receive soiled linen in bulk. It also provides convenient means to protect the clean linens during transport.

Generally stated, the apparatus comprises a frame having a generally horizontal bottom wall of rectangular planform. An upstanding frame member such as a hollow column is secured to each corner of the bottom wall, defining a box-like structure having open side walls and end walls. Rectangular panels are carried by the frame and in a first position they are arranged in horizontal attitude at ditferent levels spaced above the bottom wall to provide, together with the bottom wall, a plurality of vertical spaced shelves to receive clean linen for transport. Since the side walls of the frame are completely open and unencumbered, there is nothing to interfere with either loading or unloading. The frame may be provided with wheels or it may be separably mounted on a wheeled dolly.

When the clean linens have been unloaded at the point of delivery, the carrier is converted to receive soiled linens for delivery to the laundry. For this purpose, the panels are movably mounted on the frame and they are readily swung from their first, shelf position to their second position in vertical attitude extending upwardly from the side edges of the bottom wall to provide closures for at least the lower portion of each open side wall.

A large bag having the general dimensions of the boxlike structure is then placed within the structure and suspended from the upright frame members with the bag bottom resting on the bottom wall, thus providing a single large receptacle for depositing soiled linen in bulk for delivery to the laundry. The panels in their second position restrain the loaded bag from bulging out beyond the contour of the side walls of the frame which would interfere wtih movement of the carrier through narrow halls and doorways.

When the carrier arrives at the laundry the bag, which may contain 200* pounds or more of soiled linens, is lifted with a hoist and emptied into a washer, avoiding any necessity for individual handling of the laundry articles. Another advantage of the total system is that the bag may be laundered each time and then placed in inverted position over a loaded rack of clean linens to protect them during delivery.

In the presently preferred form, each spaced shelf is formed by two panels, each having a length about equal to the length of the bottom wall and a width or depth about equal to half the width of the bottom wall. At each level, the panels hingedly mounted at their outer edges to the upright frame members and their inner edges lie adjacent to each other above the longitudinal axis of the bottom wall and are held in place by releasable latch members. The rack is changed to a container by releasing the latch members and swinging the panels down to vertical attitude. The vertical spacing is about equal to the panel width, and consequently the free edge of the lower panel will now lie adjacent to the side edge of the bottom wall and the free edge of the next higher panel will lie adjacent to the hinged edge of the first panel. The panels thus provide adequate closure for the open side walls of the frame to prevent bulging of the bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various other advantages and features of novelty will become apparent as the description proceeds in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the carrier with all of the panels in their first, shelf position;

FIGURE 2 is a similar view showing some of the panels in their second, wall position;

FIGURE 3 is a similar view with all of the panels in their wall position and with the bag mounted in place;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of the carrier;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary end view of the carrier of FIGURE 4 showing the hinge means and latch means;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified latch means;

FIGURE 7 is a similar view of a further modified latch means;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the carrier incorporating additional modifications; and

3 FIGUR'ES 9 and 10 are end elevational views in schematic form of additional embodiments of a carrier constructed in accordance with the subject invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The laundry carrier of this invention is illustrated in FIGURE 1 as comprising a frame 10 having a bottom wall 12 of rectangular planform. An upstanding elongate frame member or column 14 is secured to the bottom wall at each corner and these columns define a box-like structure having open side walls and end walls. The frame is completed by lateral members 16 secured to the upper ends of columns 14 and by columns 18 extending from the bottom wall to members 16 adjacent to the longitudinal axis of the bottom wall. Wheels or casters 20 may be mounted on the bottom of the carrier or it may be separably mounted on a wheeled dolly.

Bottom wall 12 serves as a first shelf to receive clean fiatwork. Any desired number of additional shelves may be provided at vertically spaced intervals, as shown, by the use of panels 22. In this preferred embodiment, each panel is about as long as the bottom wall and about half as wide and is hingedly mounted on a horizontal axis in the general plane of the two upright columns 14 which define one side wall of the structure. Each panel is held in its first, horizontal position by cooperating latch members on the panel and its associated columns 18.

The mounting and latching arrangements are best seen in FIG. 5. Hinge support is provided by pivot rods 24 attached to columns 14. The rods may be short stubs or may extend from end to end of the frame to reinforce the columns. Each panel is provided with a wrap-around bearing portion 26 of elongate shape at its outer edge to provide a lost motion hinge connection which will allow lateral motion of the panel in its own plane. A downwardly extending flange or hook member 28 is formed at the inner free edge 30 of each panel, at least adjacent its ends, to cooperate with an upwardly opening hook member 32 mounted on column 18.

In the position of FIG. 5, the panel is supported in a generally horizontal attitude by rods 24 and hook members 32. When it is desired to lower a panel to its second vertical position, the panel is rotated slightly upwardly and then translated laterally outwardly a short distance to clear the hook member 32, and then allowed to rotate downwardly.

When a panel of the first set reaches its lowest position as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, its free edge 30 is adjacent to the longitudinal edge of the bottom wall and it forms a closure for the lower portion of the open side wall of the frame. The sets of panels are spaced vertically a distance about equal to their width, and therefore the panel in the second set will hang with its free edge adjacent to the hinged edge of the lower panel, as also seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, and thus form a closure for an additional portion of the open side wall. Detents in the form of tabs 34 are provided on columns 14 to prevent the panels from swinging outwardly beyond the contour of the frame.

The carrier is shown in FIG. 3 with all four of its swingable panels arranged in the vertical attitude. This configuration is used for the collection and delivery of soiled linen to the laundry area. The purpose is carried out by the provision of a large flexible bag 36 having the general dimensions of the carrier frame. The bag is inserted within the frame with the bag bottom resting on bottom wall 12 and with its open upper end 38 folded reversely to form a cuff to suspend the bag from the upper ends of columns 14 and the cross members 16'.

The carrier presently being produced is about two feet by four feet in planform and about three feet high, and the bag readily accommodates at least two hundred pounds of soiled linen. The depending panels are coextensive with the lower part of the large sides of the bag 4. and prevent it from bulging out beyond the contour of the side walls of the carrier which would impede passage through narrow halls and doorways. When the carrier reaches the laundry area, strap loops 40 are attached to a hoist which removes the bag from the carrier and delivers it to the washing machine.

Bag 36 may serve a dual purpose if desired. The carrier itself is usually washed and sterilized after unloading the soiled linen, and panels 22 are swung back to their first, shelf position to receive a load of clean linen. The bag is preferably also washed and sterilized and then slipped in inverted position over the loaded carrier to protect the clean linen during delivery to a point of storage or use. When it is removed, it can be readily set aside so that it does not hamper unloading of the carrier.

While the carrier is shown with only two shelves for clarity, it will be apparent that a third pair of panels may be mounted at the top of the frame, and the frame may be as high as convenient for use.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a slight modification in which hook members 32 are so located with respect to pivot rods 24 that the panels are inclined downwardly toward the center of the rack. This slight inclination serves to restrain the load of linen against slipping outwardly and falling off the shelves when the carrier is moved over a rough surface.

A modified form of latching means is shown in FIG. 6 which reduces the likelihood of catching and tearing the bag on hooks 32. In this form, column 18, which is shown as a hollow post, is provided with a vertically elongated aperture 42 opening laterally of the frame. Panel 22 is provided with a bracket 44 to which is secured a downwardly facing hook member 46. There is a similar arrangement at the opposite end of the panel. The panel is actuated in the same way to secure it in horizontal attitude and to release it, as the panel is actuated in FIG. 5. When the panels are swung down to their second position, the hook members 46 face outwardly and apertures 42 present no surface which would damage the bag.

A further latch modification is illustrated in FIG. 7. A U-shaped bracket 48 is secured to each end of panel 22 and is provided with aperture 50 to slidably mount a latch member in the form of pin 52 for sliding movement in a transverse direction into aperture 54 in column 18. The pin is provided with a fixed collar 56, and a spring 58 surrounds the pin and is compressed between the collar and the rear leg of bracket 48 to resiliently bias the pin toward latching position. Each pin is provided with an eye 60 at its outer end, and a single continuous cord or cable 62 is secured to both eyes and passes along the length of the panel, being slidable in grommeted apertures 64 in the flanges 66 of the panel. For release purposes the cord may be engaged by the operators finger at any point along the length of the panel and pulled laterally toward the hinge edge. The toggle action will pull both pins against their bias springs to release the panel. In this form, the panel is provided with a cylindrical hinge bearing 72 because a lost motion connection is not desired.

It will be noted that with all types of latch means described above, it is possible to raise, lower, latch, and unlatch any panel with one hand, which is convenient and desirable.

The additional features shown in FIG. 8 may be added to the forms of carrier previously described. Side rails 68 are provided at the upper margins of the side walls and are directly secured to the upper ends of columns 14, thus providing a complete rectangular horizontal framework which rigidifies the entire structure and also provides sup port for the laundry bag around its entire periphery.

End plates 70 are secured to the upright column 14 at each end of the frame and serve as closures for the open end walls. They may be of any desired height. While they do block end access to the panels in shelf position this is a minor inconvenience since the shelves are ordinarily unloaded entirely from the side. Their purpose is to given end support to the bag in the same way as the panels provide side support. Moreover, if it is desired for any reason not to use a bag, the end plates complete the closure of at least the lower part of the structure so that it may be used directly as a receptacle for soiled linen or the like.

FIGURES 9 and 10 are end elevational views of additional embodiments of a laundry carrier constructed in accordance with the subject invention. In FIGURE 9, the laundry carrier is illustrated as comprising a frame 74 having a bottom wall 76, upstanding elongate frame members or columns 78, lateral members 80 secured to the upper ends of the columns 78, and columns 82 extending from the bottom wall 76 to the lateral members 80 adjacent the longitudinal axis of the bottom wall 76. The bottom wall 76 serves as a first shelf to receive clean flat work. Two additional shelves are provided at vertically spaced intervals above the bottom wall 76 by the use of panels 84. Each panel 84 is supported on a pair of spaced-apart, triangularly shaped end members 86. Each end member 86 is mounted for pivotal movement with respect to a portion of the laundry carrier. Each end member 86 also includes a stop means 87 which, when the panels 84 are disposed in horizontal position, have a portion thereof disposed in abutting engagement with column 82 and, when the panels 84 are disposed in a generally vertical plane, have a portion thereof disposed in abutting engagement with one of the columns 78. As shown in FIGURE 9, the panels 84 are disposed in a horizontal position to receive flat Wonk thereon. After the flat work has been removed and it is desired to convert the laundry carrier wherein same may receive therein a bag such as bag 36 shown in FIGURE 3, each panel 84 and its associated end members 86 is pivoted in a direction to move the stop means 87 away from column 82 and into contact with the outer column 78, as shown in phantom.

In FIGURE 10 is illustrated another embodiment of a laundry carrier constructed in accordance with the subject invention. The laundry carrier comprises a frame 88 having a bottom wall 90, upstanding elongate frame members or columns 92, upper lateral members 94 secured to the upper ends of the columns 92 and lower lateral members 96 secured intermediate the ends of the columns 92. The bottom wall 90 serves as a first shelf to receive clean flat work. Additional shelves are provided at vertically spaced intervals by the use of panels 98. Each panel 98 is attached to a pair of spacedapart, triangularly shaped end members such as end members 100 and 102. Each end member is mounted for pivotal movement relative to a predetermined portion of the laundry carrier. For example, each end member 102 attached to the lower panel 98 is mounted for pivotal movement relative to a predetermined portion of the bottom wall 90 adjacent the right column 92 while each end member 100 of the upper panel 98 is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the plate member 104 which is securely attached to lateral member 96, said plate member 104 being disposed generally centrally of lateral member 96. The lower panel 98 includes a longitudinally extending stop means 106 which, when the panel is disposed in a horizontal position, abuts against the plate member 104 and, when the lower panel is disposed in a generally vertical plane, is disposed in abutting engagemcnt with the adjacent column 92. The upper panel 98 also includes a stop means 108 which, when the upper panel is disposed in a generally horizontal position, is disposed in abutting engagement with one of the columns 92 and, when the upper panel 98 is disposed in a generally vertical position, is disposed in abutting engagement with the other column 92. Thus, it will be readily evident when the panels 98 are pivoted from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position, as shown in phantom, the laundry carrier has effectively been converted to receive therein a bag such as bag 36 shown in FIGURE 3.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides a dual purpose carrier which serves as a rack for delivering clean linen and as a receptacle for collecting soiled linen, using a minimum number of elements which are very easily operable, and many of which perform dual functions.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts of the apparatus as disclosed.

I claim:

1. A dual purpose laundry carrier comprising: a frame having a generally horizontal bottom wall of rectangular planform having a central longitudinal axis, and an upstanding elongate frame member at each corner of the bottom wall defining a box-like structure having open side walls and end walls; a rectangular panel associated with each side wall and extending between the two frame members defining such side wall, the lateral width of each panel being substantially half of the lateral width of the bottom wall; one longitudinal edge of each panel being swingably connected to its respective frame mem bers at a level above the bottom wall substantially equal to the lateral width of the panel for swinging between a horizontal position and a vertical position; the free longitudinal edges of the panels being adjacent to each other when the panels are in generally horizontal position to form a substantially continuous shelf across the carrier and spaced from the bottom wall, and being adjacent to the longitudinal side edges of the bottom wall when the panels are in vertical position to define closures for portions of the open side walls of the structure; means to maintain said panels in horizontal, load-supporting position; and means to prevent said panels from swinging outwardly beyond the planes of the side walls of the structure.

2. A carrier as claimed in claim 1; and a second set of panels substantially identical to the first set and swingably connected in the same way to the respective frame members at a level above the connection of the first set substantially equal to the lateral width of a panel for swinging between a horizontal, load-carrying position and a vertical position in which the longitudinal free edges of the second panels are adjacent to the swingably connected edges of the first panels to define closures for additional portions of the open side walls of the structure; and means for maintaining said second panels in horizontal and vertical positions.

3. A carrier as claimed in claim 1; the means for maintaining each panel in horizontal position including a latch member fixedly carried by the structure substantially in the plane of each end wall at a level above the bottom Wall substantially equal to the lateral width of the panel, and a cooperating latch member at each end of the panel to interengage with its respective fixedly carried latch member.

4. A carrier as claimed in claim 3; each fixedly carried latch member comprising an upwardly opening hook member, and each panel latch member comprising a downwardly opening hook member; the swingable connection of the panel to the upstanding frame members being formed with lost motion to enable the panel to move outwardly in horizontal position and provide clearance for the cooperating latch members to pass each other.

5. A carrier as claimed in claim 3; the fixedly carried latch member comprising a vertically extending column formed with a vertically elongated aperture opening in a direction transverse of the longitudinal axis of the bottom wall; and the panel latch member comprising a downwardly directed hook member adapted to move transversely into the aperture; the panel being mounted to its respective frame members in such manner as to enable lateral movement of the panel and its latch members.

6. A carrier as claimed in claim 3; the fixedly carried latch member comprising a vertically extending column formed with an aperture opening in a direction transverse of the longitudinal axis of the bottom wall; and the panel latch member comprising a bolt member slidably mounted for movement in a transverse direction into the aperture; and means to resiliently bias said volt member in the locking direction.

7. A carrier as claimed in claim 6; including a resiliently biased sliding bolt member at each end of the panel; and release means in the form of a single flexible tension member extending from end to end of the panel and engageable at any point along the panel to simultaneously withdraw both bolt members from the latch apertures.

8. A carrier as claimed in claim 1; and a bag of flexible material having the general dimensions of the box-like structure and adapted to be filled with soiled laundry articles for transport; said bag being adapted to be mounted within the structure and suspended from the upper portion of the structure with the bag bottom resting on the bottom wall; the swingable panels being arranged in their vertical positions to form partial closure for the side walls of the structure and restrain the side walls of the bag from bulging out beyond the contour of the structure. I

9. A carrier as claimed in claim 8; and a plate-like panel extending across each end wall of the structure and from the vicinity of the bottom wall to a level at least as high as the swingable panels to form closure for the end walls and further confine the bag.

10. A carrier as claimed in claim 8; said bag being a dual purpose bag adapted to be lowered over the exterior of the structure with the bag bottom uppermost to enclose and protect clean laundry articles carried on the panels when the latter are in horizontal position.

11. A carrier as claimed in claim 1; the inner longitudinal edges of said panels being lower than their outer longitudinal edges when the panels are in generally horizontal position to urge the articles loaded thereon toward the central longitudinal vertical plane of the carrier.

12. A dual purpose laundry carrier comprising: a frame having a generally horizontal bottom wall of rectangular planform having a central longitudinal axis, two side edges, and two end edges, and an upstanding elongate frame member at each corner of the bottom wall defining a box-like structure having own side walls and end walls; and a plurality of panels of rectangular plan form, each having a length substantially equal to the length of the bottom wall and extending from end to end of said structure, and movably mounted on the frame for movement to first and second positions; said panels in their first position being arranged in horizontal attitude at selected levels above the level of the bottom wall and extending across the width of the structure to constitute vertically spaced shelves; said panels in their second position being arranged in vertical attitude extending upwardly from the side edges of the bottom wall and serving as closure for at least the lower portions of the open side walls of the structure.

13. A carrier as claimed in claim 12; and a panel fixedly connected to each end wall and extending thereacross and upwardly from the adjacent end edge at least a portion of the height of the structure; said fixed panels cooperating with said movable panels in their second position to complete the closure of at least the lower portion of the structure to serve as a container.

14. A carrier as claimed in claim 12; and a bag of flexible material having the general dimensions of the box-like structure and adapted to be filled with soiled laundry articles for transport; said bag being located within the structure and suspended from the upper portion of the structure with the bag bottom resting on the bottom wall; the panels being arranged in their second position forming a closure for the side walls of the structure to restrain the side walls of the bag from bulging out beyond the contour of the structure.

15. A carrier as claimed in claim 14; and elongate horizontal members extending along the upper portions of the side walls and end walls of the structure and connected to the upstanding frame members to define a rectangular framework for supporting the upper portion of the bag.

16. A carrier as claimed in claim 12 in which each panel has a pair of members attached adjacent opposite ends thereof, each attached member being mounted for pivotal movement relative to said carrier.

17. A carrier as claimed in claim 16 in which each panel member also includes stop means for engaging a portion of said carrier.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 870,835 11/1907 Lowe 211- XR 1,113,818 10/1914 OBrien 108-111 1,167,550 1/1916 Fosyth 108-111 1,731,341 10/1929 Lantz 248-98 2,484,996 10/1949 Hatch 211-151 2,598,800 6/1952 Kopper 108-14 2,873,033 2/1959 Mapstone 211-2 3,149,726 9/1964 Mayers 211-134 3,168,271 2/1'965 Deschenes 248-129 3,172,376 3/1965 Harlis 108-59 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner G. O. FINCH, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

